Anyone who watched Maame Dokono (aka Grace Omaboe) hold the attention
of the mammoth audience at the NPP rally at Takoradi last Sunday is
likely to confirm what other people take her to be — a woman of steel.

From the unique roles she plays as a film and TV actress, through her militant advocacy for women and children causes, to her political stint as a parliamentary candidate in 2000, 60-year-old Maame Dokono has come through to many people as a hard-faced woman who is difficult to deal with.

The real situation is that Maame Dokono feels lonely and longs for the affection and support of someone, preferably a man, she can share her feelings with; a man who can understand her and love her.

With her smart looks, influence and exposure to various prominent people both in political circles and private life, the bubbly talk show hostess of Abrabo on Asempa FM, Odo Ne Asomdwee on Choice FM and another on Metro TV, should be the last person in want of affection from a man.

Having gone through two marriages and divorces, the mother of six and grand mother told Showbiz two Saturdays ago at her Abelenkpe home that “ at the moment, I’m not going out with anybody because all the men that come my way are married and that is the last thing I need now.

Considering my status as a mother and a public figure, I think it is prudent for me to live an exemplary life”, she said.

What adds to her loneliness is that her grown up children from her first marriage are all resident abroad, leaving her to take comfort with the two little ones.

She however, visits them whenever she travels abroad to spend some time with them, but that is not enough comfort for Maame Dokono.

Narrating her story on the intensity of her loneliness, the founder of Peace and Love Orphanage said that recently, she was dragged to court by the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) for her inability to pay her workers’ contributions.

“I wish I had gone to the hearing with my man beside me. That would have given me support and helped me on decisions that needed to be taken and provide me with a shoulder to lean on”.

Asked about how she sees herself, the woman who is considered “too tough” by most people poured out her heart saying, “I’m like the crab, hard on the outside but soft in the inside.

What I can say about myself is that, I’m kind, emotional and reserved, but when it comes to acting, it’s a different scenario and I think it is due to the roles I sometimes play that I’m considered to be tough.”

For her age, Maame Dokono still looks radiant, cheerful and healthy. She said that apart from God being good to her, she is mindful of what she eats.

“I enjoy eating apem ampesie and nkontomire abom. As a matter of fact, I just finished eating my “brunch” and if you had come earlier, you could have enjoyed the ampesie with me.

“Of course, I enjoy a little beer and a little wine now and then when the occasion is right.

However, I don’t take hard liquor nor smoke. It’s all about good food and exercise, which I do very often to keep in shape”.

Maame Dokono said that she is one woman who has suffered a lot in the public eye. She has been misunderstood, misinterpreted, maligned and associated with a lot of rumours.

“According to Ghanaians, I’ve dated past and present presidents, something I find so ridiculous and absurd. If I’ve dated any of these men, why should I be suffering financially?

Why would I be taken to court for not paying my workers’ SSNIT contributions? But I’m not bothered because they are not true,” she said.

Her biggest regret however, was when she stood for elections in 2000 on the ticket of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) as Member of Parliament for Birim North in the Eastern Region.

“The NDC lost that election and as usual, people associated all politicians with stealing state funds, something that I was not part of.

Wherever I went, young boys and girls rained insults on me, making me part of the politicians they thought had squandered state funds. I was at the lowest point in my life.”

Being the courageous and disciplined individual that she is, Maame Dokono picked herself up and cleaned the dust, nursed her bruises and bounced back to life.

She has undertaken courses in volunteerism, fund-raising, managing orphanages and has toured Ghana and the world to deliberate on issues affecting women and children.

She said “although my chosen career does not fetch much money, it gives me satisfaction to be able to help the needy and be a voice for the voiceless.”

For her dislikes, Maame Dokono said arrogant or proud people put her off. She cannot contain people who boast or men who maltreat women.

“Women risk their lives to bring forth life, in fact many women die as a result of child birth while the men walk freely.

I think men should love and cherish their mothers, wives and sisters because it was the women who sacrificed their lives so that they can have life.”

To her fans, she asked them to continue praying for her for long life in order to continue with the good works she’s started. She also said “I ask for forgiveness from anyone that I might have wronged unknowingly in the course of my career or private life.”